Pre-election opinion polls prove wide of mark

Pre-election opinion polls around the Czech presidential elections underestimated the results of the two finalists. Not one survey published in 2023 predicted that Petr Pavel or Andrej Babiš would receive over 30 percent, though the former in the end received 35.4 percent of the vote and the latter 34.99 percent. Some polls last year did give Mr. Babiš over 30 percent.

Polling on third-placed Danuše Nerudová was also wide of the mark. She received 13.93 percent of the vote in the first round after some surveys had even suggested she might win.

The record turnout, which reached 68 percent, had been roughly forecast by some agencies.